Must-Have Dynasty Targets: Wide Receivers (2026 Fantasy Football)

Welcome to the prime dynasty fantasy football season. These are the months that separate the casuals from the die-hards. So all of you Bruce Willis’ out there, thank you for checking out my work in March.

Whether you are actively preparing for a startup draft or want to read dynasty analysis on some of your favourite players, I have you covered. In this article, I am going to outline some key pieces that you can build your lineup around.

Dynasty Fantasy Football Startup Targets

Under-Valued Cornerstones

Rome Odunze (WR – CHI) | Pick 49 (5.1 ADP)

We’re only two years removed from Rome Odunze being selected with the ninth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Touted as one of the big three receivers in that draft class, alongside Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers, Odunze has the size and skill to be a dominant outside receiver on an up-and-coming Bears team.

With Ben Johnson calling the shots for the uber-talented Caleb Williams, it’s no surprise you want pieces of this passing game. Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland, who are going six and 10 picks behind Odunze, respectively, are also worthy investments. However, Odunze should be further ahead of his teammates as he enters his third season.

In his first two seasons, Odunze has not produced to the high standards fantasy managers had hoped for. However, his first season was a mess with Matt Eberflus as his head coach. Last year, with Johnson taking over, he started the season as the WR3 over the first four weeks.

This production had a steep drop-off before Odunze was injured and never fully recovered. We can only play the “excuse game” for so long, but seeing his elite start to the season should give managers confidence that better production is coming.

Another offseason learning Johnson’s offense means the rubber meets the road for the young wideout. If you can get a talented young receiver on a promising team in the fifth round, that just sounds like a good investment. Don’t be surprised if Odunze becomes a second-round startup pick entering 2027.

Age is Wisdom… and Production

DJ Moore (WR – CHI) | Pick 94 (8.10 ADP)

Davante Adams (WR – LAR) | Pick 96 (8.12 ADP)

Terry McLaurin (WR – WSH) | Pick 101 (9.5 ADP)

These three receivers are going at the end of the eighth/start of the ninth round. I am grouping these three because this is the section of the draft where aging players become valuable. What’s often forgotten in startup drafts is that winning now is just as good as winning later. Someone is going to win the first season, and these aging veterans can push a team over the line.

We saw that Davante Adams still has an elite ability to find the end zone. As long as Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay are cooking, there will be plenty of weekly upside for the future Hall of Fame receiver.

Terry McLaurin and DJ Moore do not carry that level of upside; however, they are both talented receivers who can consistently produce for fantasy. If Jayden Daniels returns to his rookie form, McLaurin will be the top target for a star young quarterback.

As for Moore, fantasy managers are desperately hoping he finds a new home. Whether this is reuniting with Joe Brady in Buffalo or helping Fernando Mendoza in Las Vegas, there are paths for a bounce-back fantasy season.

If you have diligently prioritized youth up to this point, this is a great time to fill out your starting roster with players who can produce immediately and give your team an edge over your competition. I would rank them Adams/McLaurin/Moore.

Other names that fit (in no particular order) are Chris Godwin, Jauan Jennings, Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel and Jakobi Meyers.